By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
LATEST: Geoff Lake was endorsed as the ALP’s candidate in Hotham by a central panel of union officials and party members last night.
Having
won the local members’ vote 59 per cent to 41, Cr Lake also won a
majority of the panel’s support over his rival Rosemary Barker.
Reportedly one of Ms Barker’s most powerful backers Senator Stephen
Conroy last night deserted her and voted for Cr Lake in what was
declared a ‘‘factionally open’’ contest.
The seat, which
covers parts of Springvale, Clayton South, Oakleigh South, Moorabbin and
Dingley, had been notionally allocated to Ms Barker’s faction.
Cr Lake said the “strength of the local vote” was crucial in the “keenly contested” seat.
“This
was a competitive preselection and unfortunately we can only have one
candidate being selected. I’d like to congratulate Rosemary Barker on
running a very competitive campaign.”
The preselection fight had become increasingly bitter in recent
days with claims and counterclaims of unfair tactics by both sides.
Cr
Lake said his – and hopefully other Hotham members’ – focus was the
coming federal election; his pet issues education and major
infrastructure such as a Clayton Road level crossing grade-separation
and the Melbourne metro rail tunnel project to relieve congestion on the
Dandenong and Frankston lines.
He backed the federal government’s PNG solution for asylum seekers
by boat – a policy that neighbouring MPs Anna Burke and Mark Dreyfus
thought may cost them votes – but also an increase in Australia’s
humanitarian migrant intake.
Ms Barker, who had been confident of strong panel support even
after the local vote, said the ALP would now fall short of its stated
goal of 40 per cent female representation in winnable seats.
She
was disappointed that she had been rolled by “male warlords from the
area” such as incumbent MP Simon Crean and Hong Lim.
“They came out for
the males. I’m disappointed in Hong Lim after I’ve supported the
Cambodian community over the past 20 years.”
She said the local vote outcome – which she described as
“relatively close” – didn’t sway the central panellists against her.
“There were deals done,” she said.
“I don’t believe the party picked the person with the best capability to represent the area.”
